Ask Me If I Care (SWAT Generation 2.0 #4) - Lani Lynn Vale Page 0,40

it there, even though it was incredibly awkward, until we arrived at her apartment complex.

Leaving the truck running since I knew that I wouldn’t be spending very much time at her place, I got out, pocketed my key fob and rounded the truck.

When I opened her door, she didn’t wake.

“Ares, baby,” I said, unbuckling the seatbelt. “You’re here.”

She flicked open one of her eyes and immediately closed it.

And instead of going back into the position that she was in, she leaned into me and buried her face into my neck.

I laughed softly and gathered her into my arms.

As much as I’d like to walk her all the way into the apartment like that, I didn’t think that I could.

So, reluctantly, I pulled her out of the truck and helped her stand.

She moaned into my neck and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

“Whhhhy?” she moaned.

Laughing, I helped guide her to her door.

By the time we reached it, she was more awake, but only just barely.

Reaching for the keys that were in her hand, I unlocked the door and opened it up for her, then went ahead and guided her to her bed.

She stopped halfway there and shook her head. “I have to brush my teeth.”

I smoothed my hands up her back and pulled her to me, loving the way she felt in my arms.

She moaned and leaned more fully into me, and I allowed my hands to sneak up under the back of her sweatshirt she had put on in the truck to touch smooth, hot skin.

“Would you like to go on a hike with me the day after tomorrow?” I asked. “Saturday morning?”

She nodded her head against my chest.

“I’d love that,” she breathed.

Sadly, after that I let her go.

It was obvious that she was tired as hell, and I wasn’t in much better shape.

“’Night, sweetness,” I said, pressing my lips to her forehead.

I stepped away before she replied.

“Goodnight, Hayes.”

She watched me leave. “Lock this after me, Ares.”

She did as I asked, locking the door behind me as I left.

I wanted nothing more than to join her in that bed. But I knew that I couldn’t.

That night, I thought that my dreams wouldn’t haunt me since I’d spent so much time with Ares. Since she’d left me with a smile on my face.

I was wrong.

Chapter 10

Some people are just beautifully wrapped boxes of shit.

-Ares to Hayes

Ares

I was nervous.

Why was I nervous?

Because I was about to meet even more of Hayes’ friends, and these I didn’t know.

Oh, and I hadn’t heard from Hayes in two days.

After how things had ended after dinner with the SWAT team, I’d fully expected Hayes to call me the next day. But he hadn’t.

And then I’d only gotten the text stating ‘hike starts at eight am. Still want to go?’

After I’d replied with ‘yes’ he’d not said another word.

Which led me to now, seven-thirty in the morning, pacing along the sidewalk outside wondering what in the hell I should say and do.

I’d thought we’d hit it off well the other day. I’d thought that would at least warrant a few phone calls. Or hell, even a text message besides the terse one he’d given me.

Maybe I was overthinking things? Maybe I was seeing more there than there actually was?

I was so confused and caught up in my head that I didn’t even realize that Hayes had shown up.

Hell, I didn’t even realize that he was standing right behind me until I turned to make another round of pacing and nearly plowed directly into him.

“Oh!” I said, putting my hands out to keep my face from hitting the hard chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you…”

I trailed off when I looked up into Hayes’ eyes.

He looked… tired.

“Hayes,” I said softly.

He grinned, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, making my belly take off into a different direction.

“Hey,” I said. “Are you okay?”

He tilted his head. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I licked my lips, realizing that maybe I really was just overthinking it.

I shook my head and stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his belly.

He stiffened slightly, almost to the point where I nearly pulled away, but then he was back. Once again wrapping those